The different patient's length of stay in the PACU will be variable.
Discharge from the PACU to home will depend on meeting several criteria. First,
the patient must demonstrate recovery from their anesthetic. Secondly, their
vital signs are stable. Sometimes after surgery patients require medicines
to help control their heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, or other metabolic
disorders, e.g. diabetes. These patients may require a little more time in
the PACU until their vital signs are stable. Thirdly, their post-operative
pain management should be initiated and their pain under control and manageable.
Fourthly the patient should not be experiencing severe nausea and vomiting.
Again, this may prolong their PACU stay, as they will be treated in the PACU
with medication until it subsides. Lastly, when all the above criteria are
met, the patient will be given a trial of drinking and eating a snack.

Visitation in the PACU is limited to avoid the risk of infection
to other patients, to protect patient privacy, and to permit the PACU staff
to concentrate on the care of all the post-surgical patients.

Once the patient has met discharge criteria the patient's Intravenous
will be removed and the patient will get dressed in preparation to leave.
The patient and their accompanying responsible adult will then be given discharge
instructions and a prescription for the pain medication prescribed by the
surgeon.

The patient, either walking or in a wheelchair, will then be
escorted by an ASC employee to the lobby and discharged to a responsible adult.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

All patients having anesthesia at the MGH Orthopaedic ASC will
be admitted to the PACU after their surgery. While in the PACU their vital
signs will be monitored, pain management initiated, and fluids administered.
The nurses in the PACU have extensive critical care experience and work under
the direct supervision of the attending anesthesiologist.